Help Save Us!!!

The flood of '93 was sad, scary and costly. It happened all over the Midwest but i am interviewing my dad about Iowa. It started in Ames then got to Des Monies. My dad got to have a big part in it.

When did you figure out about it?
"I was 29 and my wife and I knew about the flood but not about the Des Monies flood until later. We figured out it at my brothers wedding"

Where did you work?
"I worked at Urbandale Water Works"

Did where you worked make a difference?
"Yes it made a huge difference. I had to help get water back. My work took me all over the Des Monies area."

How did you get water to cook and bathe?
"We got water from trucks, cans and bottles. We took sponge baths and boiled the water for both things"

How did they drain the water?
" By using pumps and blocked it with levees and sand bags. Although little evaporated over time"

Did you drive a boat around?
"Not much but when we did we had to watch the current"

How long were your days?
"They were 12 hours during it but the last days were long. they went to 24 hours."

The flood was unexpected and sad. Lots lost their homes and most possessions. It taught me a lesson to keep family close and to be grateful for what I have.